Creative Labs, a digital camera maker, now also bundles motion-detection features into its software, letting a PC control multiple cameras and zoom in on a suspect's face.
You can also control the PC from across the room with a handheld remote control--and that comes in handy for things like playing music and movies.
This tiny Bluetooth 2.1 controller is actually a jack of all trades device as it will control your phone, tablet or PC for gaming, multimedia control, remote camera trigger and even help find your keys -- via a free app -- if you lose them.
ENGADGET: Black Powder Media's Impulse Controller hands-on (video)
Digital Lifestyles tried one out, and came away impressed, both by the Siemens S440 handset they tried out (which, of course, still works without Skype), and by the M34, which, in addition to Skype, allows you to IM with your phone, and even control your PC to some extent (so that, for example, you can use your phone as an iTunes remote).
The ROCCAT Power-Grid turns a smartphone into a fully customizable remote control for a PC.
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By accessing free hard drive space via the PC, users have full control of cloud storage needs and the space is absolutely free of charge.
ENGADGET: AcerCloud blows into Europe, bringing remote access to your (Acer) laptop
This move to exploit social network sites would also fuel a move away from attacks that exploit vulnerabilities in the Windows operating system to gain control of a PC or steal data.
The exact reasons for the supposed switch aren't available, but there's speculation that it would be mutually beneficial for Intel and PC manufacturers: Intel would have more control over motherboard chipsets, while builders could save money on assembly and conveniently drive more outright PC sales.
ENGADGET: Intel rumored moving to non-upgradable desktop CPUs with Broadwell
It's been a long while since I last played with a PC that comes with a remote control.
This flexibility demonstrates that, while the phone is the most mobile, convenient control point, the PC still has a role to play in this area.
Using software you install on your PC, you can take complete control over all the phones in the house and turn your internal phone network into a system like a private branch exchange (PBX) not unlike what you might find at the office.
The combination of the new NVIDIA GeForce GTX TITAN graphics in MAINGEAR desktops offers a superior combination of power, performance, efficiency, control, and acoustics that PC gamers need for premium PC gaming.
ENGADGET: Maingear fits 3-way GTX Titan graphics into (un-priced) gaming PC
Users simply designate one of their PCs as their "Cloud PC, " enabling them to use the available hard drive space on their own PC, giving them security and full control over their storage needs.
ENGADGET: Acer updating its AcerCloud service with full Android and iOS support
Sound BlasterAxx Control Panel lets users fully customise and control their audio experience from a PC or Mac.
ENGADGET: Creative announces Sound BlasterAxx wireless speakers with mics (update: hands-on!)
Additionally, VUDU offers access to popular Internet based content, from video, music and photos from popular sites such as YouTube, Flikr, and to games and social networking applications, directly on the TV, all easily accessible using the VUDU remote control with no need for a PC.
ENGADGET: VUDU first on-demand service to sell HD and HDX movies HD
In 1985 I became VP of Sales for a start-up called Applied Control Systems (ACS) that made PC based inventory and accounting software for restaurants.
It is the first to bring PC users the ability to play games using the remote control's 'motion drive' feature, which controls on-screen objects according to the movement of the remote.
ENGADGET: Lenovo IdeaCentre A600 All-in-One Desktop unleashed
In 2013 Turtle Beach is releasing a collection of gaming headsets that will provide superior quality, comfort, control and customization to meet the unique needs of PC gamers.
The iGUGU InterneTV system consists of an innovative, compact handheld wireless remote control, wireless or cable-based options to connect the PC to the television, and an easy-to-use, powerful, software application that aggregates free and subscription-based content on the Internet, giving users the ability to search, catalog and play more content than any other solution on the market.
With all-in-one touch control, the AIOs come with the Acer TouchPortal to synchronize personal life, PC and the Internet.
ENGADGET: Acer outs AZ3, AZ5, Veriton Z Series all-in-ones, starting at $650
With stunning, Full HD 1080p touchscreen display, enhanced 2.1 audio system with subwoofer, remote control and dual HDMI inputs, the VIZIO All-in-One Touch PC delivers world-class entertainment and performance.
ENGADGET: Vizio brings pricing and release information to spring line of laptops and desktops
Imagine that your PC and TV were blended into a single instrument with a big screen, a conventional remote control and a keyboard.
Both series also include a gaming mode that cuts the lag between a remote control button press and the resulting on-screen action, making these sets perfect PC or console gaming TVs.
ENGADGET: Toshiba slims down its LED lit HDTVs with UL605, SL400 series
Microsoft's FreeStyle platform lets PC-makers ship a computer with a TV tuner, TV-recording software and a remote control.
The PC itself is likely to become the central brain of a networked home, a miniature server in control of everything from your evening's entertainment to the air conditioning.
The SEVEN Series headsets for console and PC come with Turtle Beach's state-of-the-art, touch capacitive Audio Control Unit which gives players the ability to instantly change the mix of game, chat and microphone audio levels to provide a competitive advantage in changing game situations.
Pc James Duncan told the second day of the trial at the High Court in Aberdeen a loss of control would have well in excess of 70mph.
All would work by remote control, allowing consumers to easily select movies, music videos and other digital content stored on their PC, and play it on any screen in the house.
You had full control of the whole computer...that is something you don't have with any modern PC.
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